Transport systems

ABSTRACT

Transport apparatus, particularly a passenger conveyor, of the kind presenting a continuous conveyor surface made up of many oblong elements laid in a row side by side with the long sides of adjacent elements in sliding contact. According to the present invention the sliding of adjacent elements allows them to change their heading relative to each other; preferably this is made possible by giving one of the sliding sides male circular arcuate shape and the other side female circular arcuate shape of the same curvature. The preferred elements are either all of scimitar shape or are lenticular, alternate elements being double-convex and double-concave.

United States Patent 1191 Turner Jan. 14, 1975 TRANSPORT SYSTEMS 3,695,183 10/1972 Zuppiger 104/25 [75] Inventor' 2332:2 Leammgton Primary Examiner-Robert G. Sheridan Assistant Examiner-D. W. Keen [73] Assignee: National Research Development Attorney, Agent, or FirmCushman, Darby &

Corporation, London, England Cushman [22] Flled. Feb. 23, 1972 ABSTRACT [21] Appl' 228724 Transport apparatus, particularly a passenger con- Related Us, A li ti D t veyor, of the kind presenting a continuous conveyor [63] Continuation of $61. No. 22,172, March 24, 1970, many element? laid in a abandone row s1de by s1de with the long s1des of ad acent elements in sliding contact. According to the present in- [52 US. Cl. 104/25, 198/16 MS, 198/110 vemion the sliding of adjacent elements allows them 511 1111. c1. B65g 21/12 to Change their heading relative to each other; p [58] Field 61 Search 198/16, 16 MS, 110, 181; ably this is made Possible y giving one of the sliding 64 5 20 3 sides male circular arcuate shape and the other side female circular arcuate shape of the same curvature. 5 References Cited The preferred elements are either all of scimitar shape UNITED STATES PATENTS or are lenticular, alternate elements being doubleconvex and double-concave. 3,238,893 3/1966 Zupplger 104/25 3,621,980 11/1971 Folkes 1. 198/110 12 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTEB JAN 1 4 I875 SHEET 2 BF 6 PATENTEBJAN l M975 SHEET 8 [IF 6 TRANSPORT SYSTEMS This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 22,172, filed Mar. 24, 1970, now abandoned.

This invention relates to transport apparatus comprising a plurality of oblong conveyor elements assembled in a row side by side to that the long sides of adjacent elements are in sliding contact. The assembled elements present a substantially continuous conveyor surface which can be driven along on a path lying normal to the long sides of the elements. By the elements sliding relative to each other the assembly can still present a continuous surface and follow paths lying up to a certain angle to thenormal direction. Such transport apparatus will henceforth be referred to as apparatus of the kind described.

Apparatus of the kind described can be run so that the elements accelerate without breaking the continuity of the conveyor surface. Such apparatus has therefore been proposed to enable passengers to mount and alight from, or goods to be loaded on to and unloaded from, a continuously moving conveyor. For efficient transport it is desirable that such conveyors should travel at speeds of the order of 10 miles per hour or more, which speed is too great for passengers to board and alight from them with safety. Hence the need for associated apparatus of the kind described which may accelerate goods and passengers from a safe low velocity to one at which they may safely'transfer to the continuously moving conveyor, and to accept goods and passengers'safely from the conveyors and decelerate them to a low velocity at whichthey may be off-loaded on to stationary ground without danger.

One form of apparatus of the kind described, and suitable for such an application, is described in copending U.K. Pat. application No. 77/68 and is illustrated in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings, which is a diagrammatic plan view. I-Iere oblong conveyor elements 1, with longer sides 2, are driven by means not shown to follow a path that turns them through a rightangle. They enter the path at A with low velocity V1 traveling in the direction of arrow 3, and leave it at point B with velocity V2 in the direction of arrow 4.

- Over the part of the path covered by bracket 5 the elements retain velocity'Vl in the direction of arrow 3, and accelerate from velocity to V2 in the direction of arrow 4. Over the part of the path covered by bracket 6 the elements retain velocity V2 in thedirection of arrow 4, but decelerate from velocity V1 to 0 in the di rection of arrow 3.

Certain limitations upon the capabilities of the apparatus just described will be apparent. For example, it is not possible for the elements to make the illustrated right-angle turn between A and B simply be relative sliding of the long faces 2 of adjacent elements 1. At point 7, about the meeting of brackets and 6, such relative sliding ceases and is succeeded by relative sliding of the short faces 8. This changeover gives the elements a complicated movement and requires accurate engineering.

Furthermore, unless the elements re-form into at least two rows (as illustrated) as they approach and pass B the effectivewidth of the conveyor surface that they form diminishes to zero around point 7. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the elements achieve their maximum velocity along the chosen path at point 7, when they are travelling in the direction of the arrow 9. Since the purpose of the apparatus is to accelerate objects from a low velocity V1 to high velocity V2 at point B, where for instance they may be moved off sideways on to a belt 10 moving continuously at the same velocity V2, it is unnecessary and undesirable to accelerate the objects to a velocity higher than V2 and then slow them down again, rather than accelerate them gradually to V2, and no higher.

We have now appreciated that the shortcomings of the apparatus already described, and others similar, are connected with the inability of adjacent elements to change their heading by relative sliding. By heading is meant the direction at right-angles to the long axis of each element, that is to say a direction which at all times remains parallel to arrow 3 in FIG. I. We have invented apparatus in which these shortcomings and others are overcome. Our invention is defined by the appended claims, and apparatus according to it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the remaining FIGURES of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a device representative of the prior art as noted above;

FIG. 2 is a plan of a conveyor element according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the same element;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section through two such elements fitted together;

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are diagrammatic plan views of three configurations possible with apparatus according to the present invention, using one form of element;

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are similar views of another apparatus according to the present invention, using other forms of element;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic plan view of parts of apparatus using yet further forms of element; and

FIGS. 1,2, 13 and 14 show variations of the element used in the apparatus of FIGS. 2 to 7.

The element of FIGS. 2 and 3 comprises a flat wooden board 11 of oblong shape, with long sides 12 and 13. These sides are both curved, and are of equal curvature. The remaining shorter sides 14 and 15 are both straight, and neither makes a right-angled corner with either of the longer sides. The element thus has a plan shape resembling that of a scimitar. A reinforcing angle iron 16 is fixed to the underside of the element, as are two castors l7, 18 carrying bogies 19 running on rails 20 which define the path that will be traversed by the apparatus of which the elements form part. The rails 20 rest upon sleepers 21, and male and female members 22 and 23 (see FIG. 3) represent the essential parts of a drive system for moving the elements along the rails 20. For example, the drive could be of the known variable pitch screw kind, with 2 2 representing a driven variable pitch screw mounted on the sleeper and 23 a co-operating nut fitted to each element 11. Alternatively the drive could be of the linear electric motor type, with 23 representing a stator portion attached to each element and 22 one of a series of rotor portions mounted on the sleeper 21, the stator" of any particular element 11 coming into register with successive rotorsfas it is driven round the track by them. Rollers 24 are mounted in recesses 25 in the long sides 13 and rollers 26, supported by brackets 27, project from the side 13. A metal catch strip 28 is fixed to and projects below the other long side 12. When two elements 11 are assembled together side 12 of the forward one of the pair is effectively in sliding contact with side 13 of the rearward one, the gap between them being so slight that the top faces 29 of the two elements 11 in effect form part of a continuous conveyor surface of a conveyor comprising a long row of many sets of elements similar to those described. Infact the two sides 12 and 13 do not directly rub each other but rollers 24 of therearward element roll against the catch strip 28- of the forward one, and rollers 26 support the two top faces 29 level and are ready to bear against the rear face of that catch strip to prevent disengagement of the elements. Arrow 31 lying along the radius of curvature of side 13 at the mid-point 30 of that side, represents the heading of element 11.

In FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 we see transport apparatus comprising a plurality of the elements already described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. The dotted lines 32, 33 are the loci of the bogies 19, and thus indicate the line of the rails 20. As will be seen, the distance apart of these rails varies. Arrows 34 indicate the direction of travel, and 35 is a stationary platform on to which passengers from the conveyor may alight at arrow 36 and fromwhich they may board the conveyor at arrow 37. Since the top faces 29 of all the elements 11 make up a conveyor surface that is always continuous, it follows that the width of the conveyor at any point must be inversely related to its speed of travel at that point. Over regions 38 and 39, therefore, the conveyor is moving fast; between these two regions it slows down to an even minimum speed over region 40, where passengers alight and board at the inside edge 41 which is travelling slowest of all. In the case shown that speed must be sufficiently low, say not more than 1% to 2 miles per hour, to'allow passengers to step across to and from the stationary platform 35. If the edge of that platform were moving, for'instance if the platform were a turntable so that'intending passengers could mount it at the centre and then walk to the edge, gaining velocity as they did so, thenthe velocity of the edge 41 could be increased to correspond.

It is convenient that the shorter sides 14 and are angled, as they are in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, so that the longer of the pair (15) are all aligned when the conveyor is travelling fastest, as in regions 38 and 39, and the shorter 14) are aligned when it is travelling slowest, as in region 40. This is particularly useful when the conveyor is used as an accelerator/decelerator to load objects on to and off-load them from continuously moving high speed belts, as at 42, 43. The aligned sides 15 lie neatly parallel to belt 42, allowing passengers to step across and later, after deceleration, alight on to the platform 35 at 36, where the aligned sides 14 run neatly parallel to the rim of platform 35. Embarking passengers step across the edges 14, still aligned, at 37 and later reach belt 43 by stepping across the realigned edges 15. 1

It will be readily apparent that the heading 31 of the elements 11 shown in FIG. 5 has changed through 180, as arrows 44 show. By extending the half-loop of conveyor-into a full loop, with two platforms 35, the heading could rotate through a full revolution. FIGS. 6 and 7 show the same conveyor moving through more gentle turns, and help to illustrate that the ability of adjacent elements to slide so as to change their relative heading means that the conveyor necessarily undergoes acceleration or deceleration as it goes into a turn, but can hold a steady speed round a steady turn and indepenthe turn. It should also be noted that although two rails 20 have been shown, only one of them is actually necessary to guide the elements 11', provided the bogies 19 that rested upon the other rail are run instead upon a firm base at the right height to maintain the elements 1 1 level.

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show another form of the invention in which the elements 45 and 46 have shapes in plan resembling double-convex and double-concave lenses respectively. The long sides 47 and 48 of each element 45, and 49 and 50 of each element 46 do not have to beof equal curvature, but mustof course fit the curvature of the corresponding side of the adjacent element. In FIG. 8 the shorter sides 51, 52; 53, 54 are angled, as in the previous example, so that one set align as at 55 when the conveyor is moving slowest and the other set as at 56 where it is moving fastest.

In this case, with two different shapes of element, there must be at least two rails, and allowance must be made for the fact that the two shapes will move differently as the conveyor negotiates curves etc. Thesimplest arrangement is for one rail to guide the elements 45 and the other to-guide the elements 46, both elements carrying extra bogies which bear on a firm base at the right height to maintain the elements 11 level. As an alternative, one type .of element either 45 or 46 may be guided by both rails and the other type may rely for guidance solely on the guided elements to either side of it. FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the extra versatility of the foremost apparatus comprising two different types of element. The ends of the elements are of different shape fromthose shown in FIG. 8, but the bodies of the elements are essentially similar.

As FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 makes plain, apparatus with elements of one type only cannot significantly change direction without a correspondingly significant change of speed, indicated in the figures by the width of the con veyor at any point. FIG. 10 shows that-apparatus with two types of element 45 and 46 can change both direction and speed simultaneously, but FIG. 9 shows that this construction alsopermits significant change of direction with insignificant change of speed.

In FIG. 11 alternate pairs of elements contain one (57) that is plane-convex and another (58) that is plano-concave. Here, each element is able to change its bearing with the adjacent element to one side of it but not with that. to the other. With these constructions a minimum of two guide rails is necessary.

FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate certain additions to the elements 11 of FIGS. 2 to 7. In FIGS. 12 and 13 a wall 59 is mounted along the side 15 of each element, and a shorter wall 60 extends a short way down along side 13. A seat 61 is mounted at the wider end of each element, so that the walls 59 and 60 form the back and one side arm of the seat. FIG. 12 illustrates the configuration of the seats, backs and arms when the conveyor is moving fast; the seats are stepped, and the backs and arms 59 and 60 also form a zig-zag shaped barrier to prevent passengers, for instance, from falling off the edge of the conveyor as it passes round the platform 35. FIG. 13 shows the configuration that develops when the. conveyor travels slow; now each seat has become a stall with a back and two arms, one of which is contributed by the arms 60 on the adjacent element 11. FIG. 14 shows a slightly different modification in which each element 11 has a seat 62, a wall 63 constituting the back of the seat and another wall 64, built up on a slight outward extension of the extremity of side 12. When the conveyor is moving at high speed walls 64 and 63 adopt a configuration practically identical to that of walls 59 and 60 in FIG. 12. When the conveyor slows down, the configuration is as shown in FIG. 14; the seat 62 and walls 63 now form one long bench seat with a back but no arms, and the walls 64 lie clear of the passenger-carrying part of the conveyor.

Tolerances between adjacent elements can be such as to maintain the conveyor surface substantially continuous as required, but allow it to bank slightly round bends, and also climb and descend on the straight as a normal escalator does. For this purpose the elements should of course have rises as well as treads. The conveyor can also be arranged to turn in a vertical plane so as to climb or descend as a plane pavement, in which case it may be convenient to accelerate or decelerate the conveyor at the turns so as to counteract the acceleration effects on passengers passing through them.

I claim:

1. Transport apparatus comprising:

a plurality of oblong elements having longer, curved forward and rear edges and shorter left and right side edges;

at least one rail passing through a relatively straight segment and a curved segment as seen in plan;

cooperating means between each oblong element and said rail for guiding each oblong element along said rail;

the curved forward and rear edges of all said ele- ,ments having substantially equal radii of curvature, so that adjacent curved edges of adjacent elements are complementary;

said oblong elements being arranged in a series in successive forward edge to rear edge engagement along said rail;

means for propelling said oblong elements along said rail including through said curve;

the relation of the adjacent curved forward and rear edges of said elements to one another and to the rail and said cooperative guiding means being such that when said elements are disposed more transversely and less longitudinally of said rail their velocity along the rail is decreased and when said elements are disposed less transversely and more longitudinally of said rail their velocity is increased;

a second rail laterally spaced from, but generally paralleling the first-mentioned rail; the second rail being disposed more closely to the first-mentioned rail laterally adjacent the relatively curved segment of the first-mentioned rail and the second rail being disposed furtherfrom the first-mentioned rail laterally adjacent the relatively straight segment of the first-mentioned rail;

cooperating guiding means between each element and said second rail for guiding each element along the second rail; whereby the divergence and convergence of said rails is effective to change the heading of said elements;

each element consisting of two separate portions lying adjacent one another longitudinally of the rails, said two separate portions including a first portion which has a concave front edge and a concave rear edge and has said left and right side edges, and a lenticular second portion having one convex edge configured to slide against and lie adjacent one said concave edge of said first portion, and another convex edge configured to slide against and lie adjacent one said concave edge of the first portion of an adjacent element;

roller means interposed between adjacent curved edges of adjacent elements to provide rolling engagement between adjacent elements.

2. Transport apparatus comprising:

a plurality of oblong elements having longer, curved forward and rear edges and shorter left and right side edges;

at least one rail passing through a relatively straight segment and a curved segment as seen in plan;

cooperating means between each oblong element and said rail for guiding each oblong element along said rail;

said oblong elements being arranged in a series in successive forward edge to rear edge engagement along said rail;

means for propelling said oblong elements along said rail including through said curve;

the relation of the adjacent curved forward and rear edges of said elements to one another and to the rail and said cooperative guiding means being such that when said elements are disposed more transversely and less longitudinally of said rail their velocity along the rail is decreased and when said elements are disposed less transversely and more longitudinally of said rail their velocity is increased;

a second rail laterally spaced from, but generally paralleling the first-mentioned rail; the second rail being disposed more closely to the first-mentioned rail laterally adjacent the relatively curved segment of the first-mentioned rail and the second rail being disposed further from the first-mentioned rail laterally adjacent the relatively straight segment of the first-mentioned rail;

cooperating guiding means between each element and said second rail for guiding each element along the second rail; whereby the divergence and convergence of said rails is effective to change the heading of said elements;

each element consisting means two separate portions lying adjacent one another longitudinally of the rails, said two separate portions including a first portion which has a concave front edge and a concave rear edge and has said left and right side edges, and a lenticular second portion having one convex edge configured to slide against and lie adjacent one said concave edge of said first portion, and another convex edge configured to slide against and lie adjacent one side concave edge of the first portion of an adjacent element;

the cooperating guiding means of each element for guiding the element along the first-mentioned rail being mounted on the first portion of each element and the cooperating guiding means of each element for guiding the element along the second rail being mounted on the lenticular second portion of each element.

3. The transport apparatus of claim 2 further including a platform disposed radially adjacent the relatively curved segment of the first-mentioned rail; the side edges of said elements being so spatially disposed that as said elements pass said platform said side edges which are nearest the platform on adjacent elements contiguously aligned with one another when said. elements pass said platform, being substantially contiguously sligned with one another when said elements pass said linear conveyor.

5. The transport apparatus of claim 2 wherein said cooperating guiding means, on said elements, is disposed laterally toward one end of each element; each element, toward the opposite end thereof from said one end,,carrying rolling support means adapted to support the opposite end of the respective element upon the second rail.

6. The transport apparatus of claim 2 wherein the curved forward and rear edges of all said elements have substantially equal radii of curvature, so that adjacent curved edges of adjacent elements are complementary.

7. Transport apparatus comprising:

a plurality of oblong elements having longer, curved forward and rear edges and shorter left and right side edges;

'at least one rail cooperatingmeans between each oblong element and said rail for guiding each oblong element along said rail;

said oblong elements being arranged-in a series in successive forward edge to rear edge engagement along said rail;

means for propelling said oblong elements along said rail;

the relation of the adjacent curved forward and rear edges of said elements to one another and to the .rail and said cooperative guiding means being such that when said elements are disposed more transversely and less longitudinally of said rail their velocity along the rail is decreased and when said elements are disposed less transversely and more longitudinally of said rail their velocity is increased;

a second rail laterally spaced from, but generally paralleling the first-mentioned rail so as to diverge, converge and run substantially parallel with respect to the first-mentioned rail;

cooperating guiding means between each element and said second rail for guiding each element along the second rail; whereby divergence, convergence and relative curvature of said rails is effective to change the heading of said elements;

each element consisting of two separate portions lying adjacent one another longitudinally of the rails, said two separate portions including a first portion which has a concave front edge and a concave rear edge and has said left and right side edges, and a lenticular second portion having one convex edge configured to slide against and lie adjacent one said concave edge of said first portion, and another convex edge configured to slide .against and lie adjacent one said concave edge of the first portion of an adjacent element;

the curved forward and .rear edges of all said elements having substantially equal radii of curvature, so that adjacent curved edges of adjacent elements are complementary;

there being roller means interposed between adjacent curved edges of adjacent elements to provide rolling engagement between adjacent elements.

8. Transport apparatus comprising:

a plurality of oblong elements having longer, curved forward and rear edges and shorter left and right side edges;

at least one rail cooperating means between each oblong element and said rail for guiding each oblong element along said rail;

said oblong elements being arranged in a seriesfin successive forward edge to rear edge engagement along said rail;

means for propelling said oblong elements along said rail;

the relation of the adjacent curved forward and rear edges of said elements-toone another and to the rail and said cooperative guiding means being such that when said elements are disposed more transversely and less longitudinally of said rail their velocity along the rail is decreased and when said elements are disposed less transversely and more longitudinally of said rail their velocity is increased;

a second rail laterally spaced from, but generally paralleling the first-mentioned rail so as to diverge, converge and run substantially parallel with respect to the first-mentioned rail;

cooperating guiding means between each element and said second rail for guiding each element along the second rail; whereby divergence, convergence and relative curvature of said rails iseffective to change the heading of said elements;

each element consisting of two separate portions lying adjacent one another longitudinally of the rails, said'two separate portions including a first portion which has a concave front edge and a concave rear edge and has said left and right side edges, and a lenticular second portion having one convex edge configured to slide against and lie adjacent one said concave edge of said first portion,

and another convex edge configured to slide against and lie .adjacent one said concave edge of the first portion of an adjacent element; the cooperating guiding means of each element for guiding the element along the first-mentioned rail being mounted on the first portion of each element and wherein the cooperating guiding means of each element for guiding the element along the second rail being mounted on the lenticular second portion of each element. 9. Transport apparatus, comprising a plurality of generally flat oblong conveyor elements assembled in a row side-by-side so that the long sides of adjacent elements slide against one another and the upper surfaces of the row of elements collectively form a substantially continuous support surface; means defining a path for the elements and driving means to move the elements along the path; at least some of the elements having at least one long side of circular arcuate shape; curved side engagement between adjacent elements being between a convex side on oneof them and a concave one of substantially equal radius on the other; and adjacent platforms, by sliding their adjacent curved faces against each other substantially change their inclination to the path and thus the effective width and speed of the moving support surface along the path; at least some of the elements having one long side convex and the other long side concave, these elements being wider at one end of their length dimension than at the other.

10. The transport apparatus of claim 9 wherein all of said elements are of substantially identical size and shape.

11. Transport apparatus, comprising a plurality of generally flat oblong conveyor elements assembled in a row-by-side so that the long sides of adjacent elements slide against one another and the upper surfaces of the row of elements collectively form a substantially continuous support surface; means defining a path for the elements and driving means to move the elements along the path; at least some of the elements having at least one long side of circular arcuate shape; curved side engagement between adjacent elements being between a convex side on one of them and aconcave one of substantially equal radius on the other; and adjacent platforms, by sliding their adjacent curved faces against eachother substantially change their inclination to the path and thus the effective width and speed of the moving support surface along the path; the two short sides of each element being so angled that those lying to one side of the support surface are'aligned with the corresponding short sides of adjacent elements at that part of the path where it is travelling at lowest speed, and

those at the other side are aligned with the corresponding short sides of adjacent elements where it is travelling at highest speed.

12. Transport apparatus. comprising a plurality of generally flat oblong conveyor elements assembled in a row side-by-side so that the long sides of adjacent elements slide against one another and the upper surfaces of the row of elements collectively form a substantially continuous support surface; means defining a path for the elements and driving means to move the elements along the path; at least some of the elements having at least one long side of circular arcuate shape; curved side engagement between adjacent elements being between a convex side on one of them and a concave one of substantially equal radius on the other; and adjacent platforms, by sliding their adjacent curved faces against each other substantially change their inclination to the path and thus the effective width and speed of the moving support surface along the path; at least one of each pair of sides of adjacent elements in sliding engagement having a depending portion to act as a riser should the levels of the upper surfaces of the two elements di- 

1. Transport apparatus comprising: a plurality of oblong elements having longer, curved forward and rear edges and shorter left and right side edges; at least one rail passing through a relatively straight segment and a curved segment as seen in plan; cooperating means between each oblong element and said rail for guiding each oblong element along said rail; the curved forward and rear edges of all said elements having substantially equal radii of curvature, so that adjacent curved edges of adjacent elements are complementary; said oblong elements being arranged in a series in successive forward edge to rear edge engagement along said rail; means for propelling said oblong elements along said rail including through said curve; the relation of the adjacent curved forward and rear edges of said elements to one another and to the rail and said cooperative guiding means being such that when said elements are disposed more transversely and less longitudinally of said rail their velocity along the rail is decreased and when said elements are disposed less transversely and more longitudinally of said rail their velocity is increased; a second rail laterally spaced from, but generally paralleling the first-mentioned rail; the second rail being disposed more closely to the first-mentioned rail laterally adjacent the relatively curved segment of the first-mentioned rail and the second rail being disposed further from the first-mentioned rail laterally adjacent the relatively straight segment of the first-mentioned rail; cooperating guiding means between each element and said second rail for guiding each element along the second rail; whereby the divergence and convergence of said rails is effective to change the heading of said elements; each element consisting of two separate portions lying adjacent one another longitudinally of the rails, said two separate portions including a first portion which has a concave front edge and a concave rear edge and has said left and right side edges, and a lenticular second portion having one convex edge configured to slide against and lie adjacent one said concave edge of said first portion, and another convex edge configured to slide against and lie adjacent one said concave edge of the first portion of an adjacent element; roller means interposed between adjacent curved edges of adjacent elements to provide rolling engagement between adjacent elements.
 2. Transport apparatus comprising: a plurality of oblong elements having longer, curved forward and rear edges and shorter left and right side edges; at least one rail passing through a relatively straight segment and a curved segment as seen in plan; cooperating means between each oblong element and said rail for guiding each oblong element along said rail; said oblong elements being arranged in a series in successive forward edge to rear edge engagement along said rail; means for propelling said oblong elements along said rail including through said curve; the relation of the adjacent curved forward and rear edges of said elements to one another and to the rail and said cooperative guiding means being such that when said elements are disposed more transversely and less longitudinally of said rail their velocity along the rail is decreased and when said elements are disposed less transversely and more longitudinally of said rail their velocity is increased; a second rail laterally spaced from, but generally paralleling the first-mentioned rail; the second rail being disposed more closely to the first-mentioned rail Laterally adjacent the relatively curved segment of the first-mentioned rail and the second rail being disposed further from the first-mentioned rail laterally adjacent the relatively straight segment of the first-mentioned rail; cooperating guiding means between each element and said second rail for guiding each element along the second rail; whereby the divergence and convergence of said rails is effective to change the heading of said elements; each element consisting means two separate portions lying adjacent one another longitudinally of the rails, said two separate portions including a first portion which has a concave front edge and a concave rear edge and has said left and right side edges, and a lenticular second portion having one convex edge configured to slide against and lie adjacent one said concave edge of said first portion, and another convex edge configured to slide against and lie adjacent one side concave edge of the first portion of an adjacent element; the cooperating guiding means of each element for guiding the element along the first-mentioned rail being mounted on the first portion of each element and the cooperating guiding means of each element for guiding the element along the second rail being mounted on the lenticular second portion of each element.
 3. The transport apparatus of claim 2 further including a platform disposed radially adjacent the relatively curved segment of the first-mentioned rail; the side edges of said elements being so spatially disposed that as said elements pass said platform said side edges which are nearest the platform on adjacent elements are substantially contiguously aligned with one another.
 4. The transport apparatus of claim 3 further including a linear conveyor disposed laterally adjacent the relatively straight segment of the rail; the side edges of said elements, opposite those which are substantially contiguously aligned with one another when said elements pass said platform, being substantially contiguously sligned with one another when said elements pass said linear conveyor.
 5. The transport apparatus of claim 2 wherein said cooperating guiding means, on said elements, is disposed laterally toward one end of each element; each element, toward the opposite end thereof from said one end, carrying rolling support means adapted to support the opposite end of the respective element upon the second rail.
 6. The transport apparatus of claim 2 wherein the curved forward and rear edges of all said elements have substantially equal radii of curvature, so that adjacent curved edges of adjacent elements are complementary.
 7. Transport apparatus comprising: a plurality of oblong elements having longer, curved forward and rear edges and shorter left and right side edges; at least one rail cooperating means between each oblong element and said rail for guiding each oblong element along said rail; said oblong elements being arranged in a series in successive forward edge to rear edge engagement along said rail; means for propelling said oblong elements along said rail; the relation of the adjacent curved forward and rear edges of said elements to one another and to the rail and said cooperative guiding means being such that when said elements are disposed more transversely and less longitudinally of said rail their velocity along the rail is decreased and when said elements are disposed less transversely and more longitudinally of said rail their velocity is increased; a second rail laterally spaced from, but generally paralleling the first-mentioned rail so as to diverge, converge and run substantially parallel with respect to the first-mentioned rail; cooperating guiding means between each element and said second rail for guiding each element along the second rail; whereby divergence, convergence and relative curvature of said rails is effective to change the heading of said elements; each element consisting of two separate portions lying adjacent one anotheR longitudinally of the rails, said two separate portions including a first portion which has a concave front edge and a concave rear edge and has said left and right side edges, and a lenticular second portion having one convex edge configured to slide against and lie adjacent one said concave edge of said first portion, and another convex edge configured to slide against and lie adjacent one said concave edge of the first portion of an adjacent element; the curved forward and rear edges of all said elements having substantially equal radii of curvature, so that adjacent curved edges of adjacent elements are complementary; there being roller means interposed between adjacent curved edges of adjacent elements to provide rolling engagement between adjacent elements.
 8. Transport apparatus comprising: a plurality of oblong elements having longer, curved forward and rear edges and shorter left and right side edges; at least one rail cooperating means between each oblong element and said rail for guiding each oblong element along said rail; said oblong elements being arranged in a series in successive forward edge to rear edge engagement along said rail; means for propelling said oblong elements along said rail; the relation of the adjacent curved forward and rear edges of said elements to one another and to the rail and said cooperative guiding means being such that when said elements are disposed more transversely and less longitudinally of said rail their velocity along the rail is decreased and when said elements are disposed less transversely and more longitudinally of said rail their velocity is increased; a second rail laterally spaced from, but generally paralleling the first-mentioned rail so as to diverge, converge and run substantially parallel with respect to the first-mentioned rail; cooperating guiding means between each element and said second rail for guiding each element along the second rail; whereby divergence, convergence and relative curvature of said rails is effective to change the heading of said elements; each element consisting of two separate portions lying adjacent one another longitudinally of the rails, said two separate portions including a first portion which has a concave front edge and a concave rear edge and has said left and right side edges, and a lenticular second portion having one convex edge configured to slide against and lie adjacent one said concave edge of said first portion, and another convex edge configured to slide against and lie adjacent one said concave edge of the first portion of an adjacent element; the cooperating guiding means of each element for guiding the element along the first-mentioned rail being mounted on the first portion of each element and wherein the cooperating guiding means of each element for guiding the element along the second rail being mounted on the lenticular second portion of each element.
 9. Transport apparatus, comprising a plurality of generally flat oblong conveyor elements assembled in a row side-by-side so that the long sides of adjacent elements slide against one another and the upper surfaces of the row of elements collectively form a substantially continuous support surface; means defining a path for the elements and driving means to move the elements along the path; at least some of the elements having at least one long side of circular arcuate shape; curved side engagement between adjacent elements being between a convex side on one of them and a concave one of substantially equal radius on the other; and adjacent platforms, by sliding their adjacent curved faces against each other substantially change their inclination to the path and thus the effective width and speed of the moving support surface along the path; at least some of the elements having one long side convex and the other long side concave, these elements being wider at one end of their length dimension than at the other.
 10. The transport apparatus of claim 9 wheRein all of said elements are of substantially identical size and shape.
 11. Transport apparatus, comprising a plurality of generally flat oblong conveyor elements assembled in a row-by-side so that the long sides of adjacent elements slide against one another and the upper surfaces of the row of elements collectively form a substantially continuous support surface; means defining a path for the elements and driving means to move the elements along the path; at least some of the elements having at least one long side of circular arcuate shape; curved side engagement between adjacent elements being between a convex side on one of them and a concave one of substantially equal radius on the other; and adjacent platforms, by sliding their adjacent curved faces against each other substantially change their inclination to the path and thus the effective width and speed of the moving support surface along the path; the two short sides of each element being so angled that those lying to one side of the support surface are aligned with the corresponding short sides of adjacent elements at that part of the path where it is travelling at lowest speed, and those at the other side are aligned with the corresponding short sides of adjacent elements where it is travelling at highest speed.
 12. Transport apparatus, comprising a plurality of generally flat oblong conveyor elements assembled in a row side-by-side so that the long sides of adjacent elements slide against one another and the upper surfaces of the row of elements collectively form a substantially continuous support surface; means defining a path for the elements and driving means to move the elements along the path; at least some of the elements having at least one long side of circular arcuate shape; curved side engagement between adjacent elements being between a convex side on one of them and a concave one of substantially equal radius on the other; and adjacent platforms, by sliding their adjacent curved faces against each other substantially change their inclination to the path and thus the effective width and speed of the moving support surface along the path; at least one of each pair of sides of adjacent elements in sliding engagement having a depending portion to act as a riser should the levels of the upper surfaces of the two elements diverge. 